Oil On Stove Is Listed As Cause Of House Fire Bethlehem

A two-alarm fire that caused $60,000 damage to a Bethlehem home early Thursday started when a man fell asleep while heating cooking oil, fire officials said.

Firefighters were called to823 Broadway at 2:20 a.m. and found flames through a second-floor window of the 2-1/2-story single home.

Frank Conser Jr. told fire officials he started to heat oil on the stove about 1:30 a.m. to make french fries and fell asleep. He said when he woke up he found a large area around the kitchen stove on fire.

Conser said he tried to call 911 from his home but the phones did not work. He said he made the call from a neighbor's house.

Lt. Edgar Beidelman said the fire started in the kitchen and extended to the second and third floors.

Frank Conser Sr. and his wife, Shirley, were not home when the fire broke out, officials said.